Mayor Lightfoot and Early Childcare Partners Release Chicago Early Childhood Integrated Data Systems
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CHICAGO ~ Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot of Chicago announced the launch of the first publicly viewable Chicago Early Childhood Integrated Data System (CECIDS). This interactive data map provides insights into how many children are eligible for services in each Chicago community and where those services are located. The website, administered by Northern Illinois University (NIU), will continue to be updated as new data becomes available.

Mayor Lightfoot stated that this launch is part of her promise to bring transparency to government and improve early childhood services for years to come. CECIDS was first prototyped by the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and is a first of its kind in Chicago and a leading example in integrated data systems in Illinois and nationwide.

DFSS Commissioner Brandie Knazze expressed pride in being part of CECIDS from the beginning, noting that it is more than just numbers on a screen; it is information about children, teachers, and ultimately leads to better outcomes for early learners.

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CECIDS is a public/private partnership championed by the Mayor's Office with support from Carole Robertson Center for Learning, Chicago Commons, CPS, EasterSeals Serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, Henry Booth House, Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA), Start Early, Third Sector Intelligence (3Si), as well as philanthropic contributions from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and Crown Family Philanthropies.

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez commented on the importance of early childhood education as a foundation for an equitable and high-quality education. He noted that CECIDS helps understand what is needed to better serve students and families as preschool expands into every Chicago community.

The City is committed to ensuring that Chicago communities receive complete and accurate early childhood data to maximize resources for families with young children. With CECIDS now available publicly, Mayor Lightfoot has taken another step towards her goal of greater transparency in government.

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